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Smoking and tobacco use not only represent one of the leading causes of preventable disease and premature death worldwide, but have also established themselves as an addictive, chronic, and recurring condition. Alarmingly, 80% of tobacco users begin this habit before turning 18. Tobacco is a plant whose consumption occurs through smoking, chewing, or sniffing to experience various psychoactive effects. However, the danger lies not only in nicotine—the potent alkaloid responsible for addiction found in cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes/vapes—but also in tar, carbon monoxide, and over 4,000 additional chemical compounds, dozens of which are highly toxic and directly carcinogenic. The False Belief of Sports as a “Protective Shield” There is a widespread myth that engaging in exercise or high-performance sports neutralizes the damage caused by tobacco. This idea is absolutely false. Although regular physical activity improves metabolic capacity and the body’s detoxification process, no athlete is immune to cellular and organ damage. In the long run, smoking athletes face the same severe pathologies as the sedentary population, as the toxins in cigarettes completely counteract the cardiovascular and metabolic benefits gained through training. Direct Physiological Impact on Athletic Performance Cellular oxygenation deficiency: Inhaled carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), displacing oxygen and limiting its delivery to muscle tissue and key organs. This results in premature fatigue and delayed muscle recovery times. Alveolar damage and lung capacity: Smoke directly injures the airways and destroys alveolar walls. The loss of alveolar function prevents the body from taking in the necessary volume of oxygen, causing shortness of breath and a choking sensation during high-intensity training sessions. Pathologies Associated with Tobacco Use Smoking drastically increases susceptibility to: Severe cardiovascular damage and elevated LDL cholesterol. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Increased risk of cancer (not only lung cancer, but also mouth, throat, esophagus, kidney, cervix, liver, bladder, pancreas, stomach, colon, and myeloid leukemia). Severe pregnancy complications. Metabolic and digestive disorders (type 2 diabetes and gastric ulcers). Rheumatic diseases and erectile dysfunction. Nervous system disruptions (recurrent insomnia and headaches). Immediate and Progressive Benefits of Quitting Smoking Respiratory improvements: Progressive recovery of lung capacity, reduction in chronic coughing, and decreased risk of respiratory infections. Sensory and aesthetic restoration: Full recovery of taste and smell, as well as slowing down premature skin aging. Cardiovascular risk reduction: The risk of suffering a heart attack or sudden cardiac death drops by 20% to 50% shortly after quitting. Long-term normalization: After three years of abstinence, the risk of a myocardial infarction or stroke equals that of someone who has never smoked. To consult the updated Prohibited List issued by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), please visit the following official link: https://wbcboxing.com/wp-content/uploads/VADA-Prohibited-List-2025.pdf